Students at the middle school level (grades 6-8) may be scheduled into Humanities, Pre Biology, and/or Pre-AP Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics and/or Science classes. All options follow grade-level Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKs) but are academically advanced courses designed to challenge gifted and/or motivated students to understand the rigorous content.

Pre-Advanced Placement- Pre-AP Courses are courses designed to develop the skills and concepts necessary for a student to be successful in the Advanced Placement courses. The College Board recommends that a continuum of these skills be taught as a foundation leading up to the challenging and rigorous courses in the AP program. 

Humanities- Humanities combines Language Arts/Social Studies block focusing on interdisciplinary instruction, critical thinking, and advanced academics. Students are expected to communicate mastery of Social Studies content through mastery of the ELA standards. Humanities is the instructional program that is used to service GT/high achieving students. Humanities provides accelerated instruction, building skills through enrichment, and advanced learning opportunities for interested students in grades 6, 7, & 8. Students in Humanities are expected to master the grade-level district curriculum for Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies. The curriculum includes all TEKS in the content areas for the grade level and is bundled into units of study as outlined in the TEKS Resource System, or TCMPC. Various instructional practices include but not limited to cross-curricular projects, National History Day, Socratic Seminar, and text-based projects. 

Heritage Middle School Humanities Site

Legacy Middle School Humanities Site

Pre-Biology- Pre Biology compacts and Accelerates 6th-8th grade Science TEKS and students will then take PreAP Biology in 8th grade. Pre-Biology is the instructional program that is used to service GT students and provide an accelerated and enriched opportunity for interested students in grades 6 & 7 for the preparation of taking Pre-AP Biology in grade 8 and taking the Biology End of Course exam at the completion of the program. Students in Pre-Biology are expected to master the district curriculum for grades 6, 7,  & 8 before grade 8. The curriculum includes all TEKS in the science content areas for the grade level and is bundled into units of study as outlined in the district scope and sequence. Various instructional practices include but not limited to 5E instructional model, project-based learning, and blended technology integration. 

Resources

National History Day- is a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation and creative expression for 6th- to 12th-grade students. By participating in NHD, students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights, and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and affiliate levels and an annual national competition in the nation's capital in June.

Project-Based Learning- is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.